BULLETIN [No. i.J 



OF THE 



$ Board of Aid 



TO 



Land Ownership. 



Western Prairie States. 

REPORTS of Committees on their Journeys in Iowa, 
Nebraska, Kansas, Arkansas, and Texas. Govern- 
ment, Railroad, and Indian Lands not available 
in large, solid tracts. 

Uplands of Southern States. 

EXPLORATION of the Table-Land of Tennessee. Its 
Topography, Climate, Healthfulness, Productions, 
Minerals, Water-Power, etc., etc. Ample Areas. 
Northern Emigration needed and desired. 



OFFICE OF THE BOARD, 

10 PEMBERTON SQUARE, 
•BOSTON, MASS. 



OF PLANTATIONS 



LORD BACON, 1625. 



" Plantations are amongst ancient, and heroical works. ... I 
like a plantation in a pure soil ; that is, where people are not displanted 
to the end to plant in others. . . . It is a shameful and unblessed 
thing to take the scum of people, to be the people with whom you plant ; 
and not only so, but it spoileth the plantation ; for they will ever live 
like rogues, and not fall to work, but be lazy, and do mischief, and 
spend victuals, and be quickly weary and then certify over to their coun- 
try to the discredit of the plantation. 

" The people wherewith you plant ought to be gardeners, ploughmen, 
labourers, smiths, carpenters, joiners, fowlers, with some few apothe- 
caries, cooks and bakers. 

" In a country of plantation, first look about what kind of victual 
the country yields of itself to hand; as chesnuts, walnuts, . . . 
plums, wild honey and the like; and make use of them. Then con- 
sider what victual or esculent things there are, which grow speedily; 
as parsnips, carrots, turnips, onions, radish, maize and the like. For 
wheat, barley and oats, they ask too much labour; but with peas and 
beans you may begin, both because they ask less labour, and because 
they serve for meat as well as bread. 

. . . " For beasts or birds, take chiefly such as are at least subject to 
diseases, and multiply fastest; as swine, goats, cocks, hens, turkeys, 
geese, house-doves and the like. . . . Consider likewise what com- 
modities the soil where the plantation is doth naturally yield. . . . 
If there be iron ore, and streams whereupon to set the mills, iron is a 
brave commodity where wood aboundeth. But moil not too much 
under ground ; for the hope of mines is vciy uncertain, and uscth to 
make the planters lazy in other things. . . . And above all, let men 
make that profit of being in the wilderness, as they have God always, 
and His service, before their eyes." 



Albebt J. Weight, Printer, 1'.) Milk Street, Boston. 






THE BOAED OF AID TO LAND OWNERSHIP, 

TO ITS 

ADVISORY MEMBERS AND THE PUBLIC. 



[Published in the papers of Boston, June 8, 1S7S.] 

In December last, the formation of this Board 
was announced, its object being "to promote as- 
sociate migration to fertile unoccupied lands ; to 
aid their development into agricultural townships 
and homesteads ; by these means contributing to a 
re-distribution of labor, — its diversion from trade 
and manufacture, where in surplus, to tillage of 

THE EARTH, — THE BASIS OF ALL INDUSTRIES, AND 
THE PRIMARY SOURCE OF ALL WEALTH." Its pro- 
posed plan of operation received general commen- 
dation as practicable, and for the public good. 
Meanwhile, committees have made four extensive 
journeys to the Western and Southern States, occu- 
pying live months' time. 

Journey of First Delegation. 
The first delegation left Boston for Iowa, Ne- 
braska, Kansas, Arkansas, and Texas, in the pro- 
spective discomfort of the winter season, that work 
might be prepared for the following spring. They 
investigated thoroughly the various railroad land- 



grants in those States, and their opportunities for 
organized settlement. Through the courtesy of 
the officials, they were favored with unusual facili- 
ties for observation along the lines of the following 
companies : — 

The Chicago and Northwestern Iowa lines ; 
Union Pacific ; Burlington and Missouri, in Ne- 
braska ; Kansas Pacific ; Atchison, Topeka, and 
Santa Fe ; Missouri River and Fort Scott ; Mis- 
souri, Kansas, and Texas; Little Rock and Fort 
Smith ; Texas Pacific ; Texas Central ; Houston 
and San Antonio ; St. Louis and Iron Mountain. 

This tour occupied two months ; extended 7,500 
miles, from Omaha, to Galveston and San Antonio 
southward, and to various places GOO miles west- 
ward from the Mississippi. 

With the flow of emigration, and the movement 
of heavy crops, these lines exhibited marked pros- 
perity, under efficient management. They offered 
in competition millions of acres of land, their sub- 
sidy from government. 

But it was found that the limitation of these 
grants to alternate square miles was a serious im- 
pediment to the plan of the Board, which re- 
quires solid tracts ; that the territory may be entirely 
under their control for the common benefit, as to 
roads, building restrictions, temperance laws, &c. 
This opinion was confirmed by the subsequent 
observation of oilier committees. 

During this travel much valuable information 



was obtained, to be made public upon opportunity, 
concerning facilities for settlement of the un- 
employed upon farm homesteads in happy independ- 
ence. Details and facts noted, bearing upon this 
subject, might fill a volume upon each State visited. 

One conclusion was unanimous : That emigra- 
tion in the aggregate does not obtain permanent 
prosperity at an extreme change of latitude. Cli- 
matic influences control health, mental and physical 
energy ; upon these depend industry, happiness, 
success. New Englanders should not change to a 
great variation in temperature from that of their 
nativity. Upon this consideration decision was 
made against any attempt to colonize south of 
Kansas, unless it may be in the plateau region of 
the Middle States, where elevation compensates a 
warm latitude. 

The only solid tract that was supposed possible 
to be obtained, of acceptable quality, situation, and 
area, in Iowa, Nebraska or Kansas, was the Pawnee 
Indian reservation in Nebraska, of about 300,000 
acres in extent, and about to be offered for sale by 
the Interior department. The purchase of this 
valuable tract was unanimously desired by the 
Board. Two delegations went to AVashiugton to 
confer with the Secretary of the Interior and the 
Nebraska members of Congress, who cordially 
supported the measure. But its accomplishment 
required special legislation, which the Secretary 
could not consistently advocate, from danger of a 



6 

precedent, which might be corruptly imitated. He 
had just received a fourteen-pound sweet potato, 
grown upon land obtained from government by 
special act, upon representation of its worthless- 
ness as desert. 

Journeys of other Committees. 

This effort abandoned, committees made a second 
and third visit to Kansas, securing the services, as 
an expert, of Mr. O. F. l>avis, late land commis- 
sioner of the Union Pacific Railroad Company, to 
select 150,000 acres from the lands of the Kansas 
Pacific and Atchison and Topeka Railroad com- 
panies. Such tracts were chosen, plans made 
thereof, and equitable terms proposed by the cor- 
porations. 

Meanwhile a liberal charter was obtained from 
the legislature of Massachusetts, and capital suf- 
ficient for the first purchase was subscribed by the 
Board. 

But after again traversing the prairies in wagons 
for days (for 150,000 acres in alternate sections 
cover nearly 500 square miles), the committee de- 
cided unanimously that the plan contemplated would 
not be effective with ownership only of evert/ other 
square mile, one-half being in possession of settlers 
independent of the Board. Further effort to develop 
railroad lands was therefore finally abandoned. 
This conclusion limited exceedingly the field of 
operation in Nebraska and Kansas, the only west- 



era States offering large areas of arable land adja- 
cent to railroad communication. 

Selection of Land in Kansas. 

The only available parcel of land found by the 
three committees teas a fragment of an Indian reser- 
vation of 20,000 acres, loith an eligible town site, 
upon a main line of railroad. It was voted unani- 
mously to purchase it upon the terms offered, A 
survey into 80-acre lots was ordered, an agent and 
aj)j)raiser selected, and plans for a hotel received, 
that the land might be immediately offered to many 
applicants on file, the sod broken and a crop secured 
the present season. 

But, to our great surprise, the enterprise was ar- 
rested o% the A.th instant by the decision of counsel, 
plainly warranted, that the title tendered for the land 
was void. As it had passed directly from the United 
States government to a wealthy corporation of another 
Slate, which was to convey it to the Board, it seemed 
there could be no question of title. But the opinion 
of their counsel , following a decision of the supreme 
court of Kansas, based upon an express* provision 
of the constitution of that State, was: That a for- 
eign CORPORATION, CREATED BY A SPECIAL ACT, 
COULD NOT THERE EXIST. It WAS A NONENTITY ; 
HAD NO STATUS IN THE COURTS ; COULD NOT HOLD, 
AND THEREFORE, COULD NOT CONVEY. * 

While the law might admit our Board holding 



8 

through trustees, the remedy of the existiug title 
is not apparent. 

As on this vital point the least risk was not ad- 
missible, the Board voted, on the 6th instant, to 
abandon the purchase. Thus the expectation of 
aiding parties this spring to hopeful settlement is 
disappointed. From the above it will be acknowl- 
edged that the Board have used all possible means, 
with all reasonable energy, to prepare for early 
movement of a colony. It was their intention to 
break soil in advance of the coming of settlers, to 
secure for them a spring planting. 

The soundness of the title was confidently as- 
sured from its simplicity, and reliance upon it has 
involved outlay of considerable labor and expense. 
The land selected was very desirable, and offered 
opportunity for a prosperous and attractive settle- 
ment. 

For reasons already stated, therefore, the Board 
do not expect to obtain, west of the Mississippi, 
tracts of land adapted to settlement, under their 
auspices, unless it may be west of Nebraska and 
Kansas. The centres of these States are 1,600 
miles from Boston, an extreme distance for efficient 
management. 



But this conclusion, — the result of severe travel 
in winter months, at cost of large expenditure, 



9 

while adverse to the work proposed in certain 
States, — does not affect the theory of the enterprise 
in other localities, where the obstacles encountered 
hitherto do not exist. 

At the outset, the West apparently presented the 
most ready field. Fertile lands, opened by rail- 
roads, with a tide of emigration already directed 
thither by competing companies, seemed to indi- 
cate that, as the region most quickly available, not- 
withstanding the dread of winds and fires, chills 
and feve,r, limestone water, distance, drought, In- 
dian raids ; and the monotony of prairies, tree-less 
and hill-less, in contrast with the picturesque aspect 
of the East; despite which drawbacks, that region 
has been and is, a land of promise and glad fruition 
to hundreds of thousands. It is contrary to the 
aim of this Board, not to suggest the discomforts 
and discouragements associated with any plaee 
they may distinctly recommend to fellow-country- 
men, for the serious purpose of a permanent change 
of home. No spot of earth is without its disci- 
pline for man, since the loss of Eden. 

Land available in Southern States. 

From the announcement of this Board, the adap- 
tation of a large unsettled area, in Southern 
States, for its purposes, has been pressed upon 
their attention by personal representation, corre- 
spondence, and published data. 

This region comprises the plateau, or table-land, 



10 

lifted above adjacent levels by the central belt of 
the Appalachian range of mountains, extending 
from West Virginia into North Alabama. There 
is a territory equal to that of several States, with 
a climate unsurpassed for salubrity, iuvigoration, 
and healthfullness ; abounding in springs of pure, 
soft water, and perpetual streams, abundant for 
mechanical power ; forests of the most valuable 
timber, coal and iron, potters' clay, sandstone and 
limestone, for construction and fertilization ; with 
excellent soil for mixed agriculture, the most sure 
of continuous, and ultimately the largest results. 
On the slopes of these mountains, which turn the 
rivers eastward and westward ; in the valleys of 
the Alleghanies, on the foot-hills of the Blue 
Eidge, or on the Cumberland plateau, for two 
hundred miles east of the divide, — there are tracts 
destined to develop the richest agriculture. 

Fourth Tour of Exploration . 
The fourth exploration by the Board, was made 
in May, to the table-land of Tennessee. This un- 
paralleled geological development —an upward lift 
of strata of iron, coal, and sandstone above the lime- 
stone formation which underlies almost the entire 
West — is one of the most interesting features of 
our continent. A territory averaging fifty miles 
wide across the State from north to south, larger in 
area than Connecticut, is abruptly elevated three 
hundred to live hundred feet above adjacent 



11 

levels, and two thousand feet above tide- water at 
Charleston, clear of all malarial influences. Its 
undulating surface is covered by varied forests, 
with such sliffht undergrowth as to take the name 
of " openings." It is a series of natural parks, 
with deep gorges cut by mountain streams, shaded 
and fringed with verdure. 

For fruits and vegetables the climate of this up- 
land region is unsurpassed, and for such culture the 
soil in many places is specially adapted. For in- 
telligent, economical industry ; utilizing stone and 
timber for building ; minerals and water-power for 
mechanical pursuits ; felling and sawing trees by 
portable steam-mills ; sheltering valuable hard- 
wood for market ; manufacturing wagons and 
wooden-ware for Southern trade, now dependent 
upon the North ; gathering the profuse wild 
products, — oak tan-bark, sumac, ginseng, turpen- 
tine, nuts, berries and honey ; rotating crops to 
the enrichment instead of the exhaustion of soil ; 
planting orchards and vineyards which come more 
speedily into bearing than at the North, with more 
perfect fruitage ; and, by late improved methods of 
preservation and transportation, delivering the prod- 
uct into home or foreign markets ; with increased 
means, adding *:o herds, flocks, and poultry, — by 
such thrifty development these lands may open 
homes of comfort and independence to a large pop- 
ulation. This is not theory. Colonies of Swiss at 
Gruetli, and of Germans at Cullman, who cele- 



12 

brated their joyous fifth anniversary on the 22d of 
April, have demonstrated its truth. Andrew Jack- 
son predicted, from frequent personal observation, 
that " this table-land would become the garden spot 
of the Union." 

While a large part of the lands described are yet 
too far from rail communication to be available, 
the Board are advised of tracts in West Virginia, 
West North Carolina, East Tennessee, and Alabama, 
that can be readily reached and have access to sea- 
board markets. The Cincinnati Southern Bailroad 
Company will probably extend its line over grade 
and bridges con/pleted to Chattanooga within a few 
months, across the Cumberland plateau. 

Northern Emigration Welcomed to Tennessee. 
It may be suggested that the temper of the 
Southern population is a barrier against people from 
the North. The committee on their recent journey 
made a circuit of the State, and are ^lad to record 
their conviction to the contrary. Of East Ten- 
nessee this caunot be alleged, for its Swiss-like 
courage and loyalty are historical. The governor 
and other officials of the State, officers and privates 
of the Confederate army, and citizens of various 
classes and pursuits, were emphatic in assurance 
that Northern population would be welcomed. 
Those who fought in the Southern cause were the 
most desirous of peace. They maintained that 
polilic'-ns who strive to renew the conflict between 



13 

the States would again carefully avoid the brunt of 
battle. They claim that the intelligence of the 
Southern States desires business prosperity, not 
political agitation. We quote the noble words of 
an aged and eminent statesman, who has held the 
highest offices in his own State, and national 
diplomatic service in Europe : " Wise or foolish, 
criminal or innocent, the issues of that struo-He 

CO 

are dead. We 'would not disturb them ; but would 
proceed to restore our material prosperity, and 
gladly receive the labor and industry of the North 
to aid in the task." 

The resources of Tennessee are probably more 
varied than those of any State in the Union. Be- 
tween the mountains on the east and the Mississippi 
on the west, all the productions of the United 
States may be found. Col. J. B. Killebrew, Secre- 
tary of the Bureau of Agriculture and Commis- 
sioner of Emigration, states that "it is the only 
State whose agriculture may fill every blank in the 
tables of the national census." 

Here the flora and forestry of Canada and 
Louisiana unite. On the banks of the rivers, the 
magnolia grandiflora and the wild trumpet-flower 
revel in luxuriance, massive blooms of laurel hedge 
the roadsides, while on the highlands the clover, 
violet and daisy seem transplanted from New 
Hampshire. 

In the heart of the old confederation of States- 
nature symbolizes in beauty a perpetual union of 



14 

North and South. The traveller meets different and 
melancholy memorials of its value. Vast cemeteries 
gleam in whiteness with the headstones of forty 
thousand r ' known and unknown " federal dead ; 
while near by are laid as many of their opponents, 
less conspicuously, but not less deeply mourned. 
Could these join their voices, who could doubt their 
utterance? Let Northmen and Southrons "beat 
their swords into plough-shares." Let our coun- 
trymen mingle here again, not in deadly conflict, 
but friendly strife for precedence in the arts of 
peace, and to share the culture of a genial soil. 
Then will liberty and fraternity be permanently 
established. 

We could not forbear this sentiment in response 
to the cordial sreetins: extended to our committee 

© © 

throughout their journey in Tennessee, and the 
earnest indorsement of their mission since their 
return by the leading press of the State. 

The above considerations induce the Board to 
investigate advantages offered in the Middle States 
for agricultural and mechanical colonization. Tracts 
from forty thousand to five hundred thousand acres, 
in solid bodies, are offered in West Virginia, North 
Carolina, and East Tennessee, at much less distance 
and lower valuation than Western prairies. It is 
proposed that a large delegation visit those States 
in the early autumn, for careful exploration and in- 



15 

quiry ; for the important interests involved demand 
cautions judgment. 

Six months of travel, observation, and study of 
the subject, confirm the belief that land-ownership 
for agricultural development is the true remedy for 
existing distress of the unemployed, and the sure 
antidote to communistic agitation. Hence, as the 
greatest boon practically available to the people, it 
should be agitated and promoted by all who seek 
the welfare of the nation. 

By vote, and in behalf of the Board, 

Franklin W. Smith, President. 
William O. Grover. 
George A. Miner. 
George H. Norman. 
Leverett Saltonstall. 
Edward Whitney. 

Boston, June 6, 1878. 



Explanatory. 

It is difficult to limit statements, upon a subject 
of such wide range of interest, to columns of the 
daily press ; for which the above Report was pre- 
pared. The "Resources of Tennessee," a State 
publication of 1,200 pages, gives details of extraor- 
dinary attraction to the lover of rural pursuits ; 



16 

instance, "Sheep Husbandry," "Fruits," and "Grape 
Culture." 

Extracts therefrom, as also from late papers of 
Col. Killebrew, and letters daily received, are in- 
teresting material for "Bulletins," if a tract be 
selected in Tennessee. 

The following from the late report of the Com- 
missioner, indicates the caution requisite in a 
purchase : — 

"Care should be taken, to investigate the titles 
thoroughly ; for one of the most unwise acts of our 
past legislation, was the opening of a land-office, 
allowing every one to make his own surveys, and 
receive a grant to lands based upon such surveys. 
Oftentimes it happened that the same land had 
been entered, in whole or in part, by others. The 
possession of a land-grant does not carry with it, 
in this State, a title ; but the title rests with the 
oldest grant, assuming it to have been regularly 
entered at first." 

Care is necessary, to a greater degree, in titles 
to lands in Virginia (especially West Virginia); 
Kentucky, and North Carolina, owing to "trading 
in doubtful and spurious land-titles, which seems 
to have originated in Virginia, as early as fourscore 
years ago." "In olden times, when the country 
was wild and dangerous, from Indians and beasts 
of prey, very few of the large surveys were 
actually made upon the ground. In many cases, 
they were simply protracted, as it was called, on . 



17 

paper, with imaginary lines and courses from be- 
ginning to end." 

This is the chief difficulty in locating a large 
tract in those States. Small estates have been long 
in possession, and their titles are established. 

During preparation of the above Report for the 
press, a conveyancer of large experience in South- 
ern titles, writes from Philadelphia : — 

" The title to the land your Board intends to 
colonize in the Middle States (in the Middle States 
we include now the Virginias, North Carolina, 
Kentucky and Tennessee,) should be the first sub- 
ject of investigation. 

" All the original tracts are more or less inter- 
fered with by other surveys and to some extent 
also by actual settlers under junior patents, ma- 
tured under statutes of limitation. This may look 
discouraging to you, though much less so to an 
expert ; who ivill have no difficulty in unraveling any 
amount of confusion of titles, if enabled to investi- 
gate in the locality where the land is situated. Your 
best plan for finding suitable land is to send an ex- 
pert down there to see what lands can be had with a 
clear title and on what terms ; and to report upon 
their resources and general adaptation. From this 
list a choice may be made, and a committee will then 
have simply to verify the expert's description as a 
guarantee to the public. Many colonies may yet be 
planted on what is left of the original boundaries 
and many excellent tracts of smaller size may be 
bought up and connected for that purpose." 



18 

It is intended, therefore, to reconnoitre im- 
mediately uplands of the Middle States, with 
experts, and select a site to be examined by the 
Board in September. 

It is evident that the high, cool, wooded lands 
of these plateaus, are better adapted to New Eng- 
land people, than an unlimited expanse of prairie. 

Their elevation adapts them "specially for 
cultivating those products which the South cannot 
raise in its lowlands tvilh the same perfection; and 
thus, as the farmer raises Northern products in the 
midst of a Southern market, his profits are great.'''' 

[Extract from a letter of the Secretary of the Bureau of Agriculture.] 
" GARDEN VEGETABLES. 

" It is almost incredible, yet it is nevertheless true, that no 
soils in the State of Tennessee produce better vegetables, or 
produce them more abundantly, than the soils of the table- 
laud. Cabbage, onions, peas, beans, sweet and Irish potatoes 
all make a line return. The Irish potatoes grown here are un- 
excelled by any grown in America. They are not only large, 
but very mealy, and of a delightfully mild flavor. The average 
yield, without manure, is about one hundred bushels per acre. 
With an application of stable manure, I have known two hun- 
dred and fifty bushels per acre to be grown. The soil and 
climate suit them, and they here attain their highest perfection. 

" FRUITS. 

" What has been said of garden vegetables, may, with equal 
truth, be affirmed of almost all the fruits suited to the latitude. 
In all the States, there is no place that will at all compare with 
the table-land in the healthfulness of the apple-tree, and in the 
production of the apple. A personal examination of more than 
fifty orchards, failed to disclose a single diseased tree. The 
extreme looseness of the soil, gives free range to the roots of 



19 



the trees, and they do not knot np and become diseased as they 
are so apt to do when planted upon laud having a compact sub- 
soil. Not only are the trees more healthy, but the apples are 
healthier than when grown upou the valley lands, rarely, if 
ever, specking or rotting. The skin is smooth, and the fruit 
plump and juicy. The character of many apples changes 
entirely when planted upon the mountain. The limbertwig, 
for instance, in the valley is a greenish apple, tough and insipid; 
on the mountain, it is suffused with a delicate red blush, and is 
very tender and juicy. Nor is this all. I have never known an 
apple crop to fail on the mountain. Thousands of bushels me 
dried and shipped every year. This region will, in time, become 
the great apple orchard of the Mississippi valley. 

" The grape is a very sure crop, where proper varities are 
planted. The line air of the mountain, develops the saccharine 
matter profusely, and excellent wines are made without the 
addition of sugar. The soil of the mountain is similar to that 
of Schloss Johannisburg, a name long associated with the 
choicest products of the Rhenish vines. 

The clearing of such land is at first thought a 
serious task ; but these regions are peculiar in their 
light undergrowth. Crops are readily cultivated 
among the girdled trunks, as in the corn-fields, 
stretching continuously for miles through similar 
woodland in Western Missouri. 

It is hoped that a tract may be secured in time to 
commence colonizing in the Fall, that being the 
best season for building, and settling to advan- 
tage on timbered lands. 

This opportunity is employed for another impor- 
tant item of explanation. 

The title of this corporation expresses precisely 
its intent; yet, perhaps naturally, it conveys an 



20 

exaggerated idea of the w aid " it can possibly render 
to deserving applicants. 

The plan is to aid colonists, by an advantageous 
purchase of land in large areas, and its sale in small 
parcels, at low prices, on credit mainly of years ; 
by systematic plans of towns, streets, farms, and 
building restrictions, to the benefit of all ; by an 
arrangement for reduced rates of transportation ; 
loan, of some labor-saving machinery, well-boring 
apparatus, stump-machines, &c, without charge; 
construction of school-houses, and aid to churches ; 
furnishing of steam or water power, portable mills, 
&c, as far as practicable; securing a population 
that will ensure a good neighborhood ; sale of seed, 
fuel, lumber, tools, &c. , &c. , to colonists at minimum 
cost ; construction and ornamentation of roads ; 
encouraging tree-culture ; prohibiting, in original 
deeds, manufacture of and traffic in intoxicating 
drinks ; dispensing with fences ; establishing' bar- 
rel factories, or drying and canning apparatus ; 
employing an efficient superintendent, who shall 
teach the best methods of farming, &c, &c. 

It is apparent thai it is impossible for the Board 
to supply capital, in addition to the above require- 
ments, to defray the entire expense of the removal, 
outfit, and temporary support of families. This 
must be the work of individuals, churches, societies, 
communities, or supplied by an Auxiliary Fund. 

It has been our painful duty to reply to hundreds 
of appeals like that annexed, during the last six 



21 

months ; many written, others, more piteous, 
spoken in tones of dire distress. 

" Lawrence, June 10, 1878. 
" To the President of the Board of Aid to Land Ownership : 

"Dear Sir,— I am one of a large class, unhappily far too 
numerous throughout our land ; viz., a mechanic, with a family 
of small children to provide for, and cannot lind employment, 
on an average, more than six months in the year. Of course, I 
can hardy live with the utmost frugality ; to lay up anything 
for the future, is out of the range of i)ossibilities. 

" Here am I, a young man of thirty-three years, prematurely 
gray and careworn, with the hopes and ambitions of youth 
deadened hy repeated disappointments, looking almost hope- 
lessly to the future. Obliged to live iu hack streets, or alleys ; 
in filthy tenements, surrounded hy unhealthy atmosphere; my 
children obliged to go illy clad, and exposed at the most impres- 
sible period of life to an atmosphere of profanity and drunken- 
ness, which, with all our care, cannot but have its subtle influ- 
ence. And abhorrent as all this is to my nature, I cannot flee 
from it. 

" Now, without taking up more of your valuable time, I 
should like to know if your proposed scheme will benefit men of 
my class, who have no means; who, if presented, gratuitously, 
with an improved farm in one of our Western States, would 
have to crush back his enthusiasm, and though his heart was 
almost bursting with ambition and desire to possess his home, 
he must sit helplessly down, and exclaim, ' Not for me ! ' for his 
life, he could not raise the means to take his family to the prom- 
ised land. 

" With much respect, and wishing you God-speed in your 
good work, I have the honor to subscribe myself, 
" Yours truly, 



-, Mass." 



Loans to fathers, discreetly made, for the trans- 
portation of children from " an atmosphere of 



22 

drunkenness " to pure air and a green-sward, will 
be found safe investments. Original liens upon 
farms developed from wild land have proved good 
securities ; because farmers above all other classes 
have lived upon their income. 

Letters from various Western banks confirm this 
statement. A bank president in Iowa writes : — 

" Within the past twenty-five years, much of the land in this 
county has been purchased from the general government at 
one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre ; and this day, not- 
withstanding the general depression of all values, good ordinary 
farms of 80 acres, 160 acres, to 320 acres, sell from farmer to 
farmer, who fully understand values, at from $40 to $75 per 
acre, according to condition and value of improvements. 

"These values are not speculative nor prospective, but based 
upon what can be realized from the land. 

" The value of small farm mortgages, about which you in- 
quire, is not uncertain ; good land, bought at a fair value, 
always has been, and I doubt not will continue to be a safe col- 
lateral upon which to loan money ; and, in fact, so well is 
this understood, that large amounts of money are seeking such 
investments." 

An officer of a bank, in another State, writes : — 

" In a list of over 800 loans made by us upon farms, I am 
pleased to say that to-day we have but one man delinquent 
thirty days in interest-payment, and only three foreclosures; 
they, in amount, only $700." 

If the capitalist will secure his idle money upon 
good land under the hand of intelligent industry, 
he may help himself and help others to help them- 
selves. 

F. W. S. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



5"53R 432 927" 2"% 



